Hurling Expert Advisory Group publishes Interim Report as rule enhancements move to trial stage
Limerick's Barry Hennessy and his daughter Hope with the Liam MacCarthy Cup ©INPHO/James Crombie
The GAA’s Hurling Expert Advisory Group has published its Interim Report following an extensive period of analysis, consultation and engagement across the game, with a number of proposed rule enhancements now moving to a controlled trial in the Fitzgibbon Cup league format from mid-October.
There are 24 amendments that are being included in the trials, and they range across a wide variety of elements of the game. Among the enhancements taking place in the trial are:
- Extend the power of line umpires to provide assistance to referees
- Handpass requires a clear and definite strike with the hand
- Sliotar can be carried for maximum of six steps in the hand
- To use your arms to tie up an opponent is not permitted
- Throw-ins to start a half to be contested by one player off each team in midfield
- Puck outs must travel at least 45 metres. Minimum of three players from each team must remain between 20m and 45m lines for puck outs
- A 65m puck to be taken from the 65m line nearest your own goal
- Two points awarded for a sideline struck cleanly over the bar
- One maor foirne per team to be permitted to enter the field during breaks in play
GAA President Jarlath Burns said: “This is an important step in the GAA’s strategic approach to the future of Hurling. The publication of the Interim Report and commencement of the Fitzgibbon Cup League trials represents another step towards a continuous, collaborative and evidence-led approach to the development of Hurling.
“We have seen how football has benefitted from being brave and looking to see how we can improve our game. Those benefits have been swift and dramatic.
“The intention here is not to change Hurling for the sake of change. It is to protect what makes Hurling unique, understand where the game needs to evolve and ensure it remains strong, relevant and sustainable for future generations. It is possible that some of the items here will require further amendment, but we’ll only know that after we have carried out these trials.”
The Group has brought together expertise from across the game and, supported by the GAA Games Intelligence Unit, has considered game data, emerging trends and feedback from those who play, coach, referee, administer and support Hurling.
From mid-October, the proposed enhancements will be tested in the Electric Ireland Fitzgibbon Cup league stage, providing a high-quality competitive environment in which their impact can be properly assessed.
The Games Intelligence Unit will support the process through data collection and analysis, while structured feedback will be gathered from players, coaches, referees and other stakeholders.
The purpose is to establish what works, what does not, and whether any proposed enhancement genuinely makes a positive contribution to the game.
The HEAG will also be going back to the Stakeholder groups for more feedback and consultation.
Commenting on the publication of the Interim Report, Chair of the HEAG, John Meyler, said: “Our responsibility is to understand the game, to protect its identity and to have the courage to address the challenges that emerge. Then, when our time is finished, we pass that jersey on to the next generation in as strong or stronger condition than we received it.
“That responsibility sits with all of us. Players, coaches, referees, administrators, clubs, counties, provinces, supporters and everyone involved in Hurling have a part to play.
“The Expert Advisory Group is part of that stewardship. Its work is about bringing together knowledge, experience, evidence and the voice of the people involved in the game.
“We will not decide the future of these enhancements from a meeting room. We will put them into the game. We will watch them. We will measure them. We will listen to the people playing and officiating under them.
“And then we will make an informed decision. The Fitzgibbon Cup League gives us an opportunity to do exactly that.”
Any potential permanent change to the playing rules will remain subject to the appropriate GAA governance through the Standing Committee on Playing Rules (SCPR) and approval processes.
